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Uganda

A - Z of topics…

Economy & Industry

High unemployment

With high unemployment in Uganda, many young people earn a living in small cottage industries or from finding their own work.

History

The first humans are thought to have lived in Africa and powerful African empires formed from the medieval age onwards.

However, today's African nations were shaped by the European powers who colonised this vast continent. Having gained their independence, many African countries are still coming to terms with the legacy left by their colonisers.

Welcome to Uganda

Hello, my name is Charles. Welcome to Uganda.

I'm on the right and these are my friends, Damalie, John Paul and Felicity. We've been making films in and around the capital of our country, Kampala.

Places vary, but hopefully you'll get an idea how busy cities can be and how important agriculture is in rural areas. Click on the tiles to learn more about Uganda.

Climate

Africa is a massive continent, with a range of climates. Some regions are hot and dry, like the Sahara, Kalahari and Namib deserts. Other parts are wet or covered in tropical rainforest. Conditions also vary by altitude, from the dry salt pans of the Danakil Depression (one of the lowest points on earth) to the snowcaps (at certain times) of the highest mountains. Weather-wise, Africa has it all!

Children

Around one in six children born in sub-Saharan Africa don't live to see their fifth birthday and life can be tough for those who do.

What are the common challenges facing African children and how do their lives compare with those of children in the UK?

Facts & Figures

A young population

Children (under 18) make up more than half of Uganda’s population. Find more country facts here.

Food & Daily life

Expanding cities

Uganda’s cities are expanding as the population grows. However, most Ugandans still lead a rural lifestyle.

Boda-boda

The perils of the boda-boda

The boda-boda are motorcycle taxis. They are not the recommended form of transport for a tourist in Uganda. But for locals, although dangerous, they are the cheapest way to get about.

Development

‘People are the real wealth of a nation.’ This is the belief of the United Nations, whose Millenium Development Goals provide a framework for improving the lives of millions.

It helps when nations are peaceful, stable and growing economically. But where even the poorest countries focus on health, education and creating fairer societies, more Africans have the chance of a better life.

Source of the Nile

Source of the Nile…or is it?

Charles and John Paul are at the river's edge in Uganda, where one place along the Victoria Nile advertises itself as the ‘source of the Nile'.

Women

A woman’s status varies by country and region across Africa. In many parts, women struggle against inequality in laws, education, pay and domestic responsibilities.

Women’s health is also at risk from traditional practices such as early marriage. But with better education, girls can make more informed choices, leading to the greater development of African nations.

Geography & Wildlife

Two-thirds of forests lost

Uganda is a land of many lakes, rivers and forests. However, its forests are under increasing threat from the growing demand for charcoal and firewood.

Climate & Agriculture

Tropical climate

Uganda has a warm, wet climate across much of the country. With fertile soils in many areas, agriculture plays an important part in the country’s economy.

Health

Africa has a high number of communicable diseases, which place a huge burden on healthcare systems. The vast majority of malaria cases and HIV/AIDS-related deaths occur in Africa; these two diseases currently represent the greatest threats.

With low investment in healthcare and a severe shortage of medical staff, many countries struggle to meet the health needs of their people.

Uganda Map

Explore Uganda

Have a look and explore some of Uganda’s main attractions, cities and the country’s plentiful wildlife and national parks.

Poverty & Healthcare

The impact of Malaria and HIV/AIDS

Malaria and HIV/AIDS remain a huge threat to the health of Ugandans, though much has been done to reduce infection rates.

People & Culture

A land of many languages

Ugandans belong to many ethnic groups and speak over 30 different local languages. This cultural diversity is reflected in the various traditional dances of each region.

Poverty

Across the rest of the world, absolute poverty has halved over recent decades, but in Africa it has barely fallen.

About two-fifths of the population of sub-Saharan Africa survive week by week on what someone in the UK earns from just one hour's work on the minimum wage.

Malaria

The threat of malaria

Children from the SOS Children’s Village in Kakiri, Uganda, discuss the threat of malaria. Malaria is a huge problem in Uganda. In 2009, there were 9.7 million cases of the disease.

Sugar cane: a big business

Health and safety

Charles, Felicity, John Paul and Damalie visit Uganda’s largest sugar cane factory. It’s not the safest of environments and the pay isn’t great. But no one moans.

The Equator

A science experiment

Charles is a clever chap and he loves learning, so a trip to the ‘Equator Magnetic Experience’ is a big treat.

Agriculture & Famine

A quarter of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished and famines can impact whole regions.

Land is available to grow more food locally, but investment is needed in technologies such as irrigation for land to be used effectively. Farmers must also adapt to climate change if they are to feed the continent's rising population.

Geography & Wildlife

With its varied geography and diverse habits, the African continent is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Though famous for its 'big game' animals, Africa has huge numbers of fish, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and insect species, as well as many tree, plant and flower species.

Education & Jobs

Ugandans value education

With high unemployment in Uganda, youngsters know they must do well at school if they are to have a good chance of achieving their goals.

Children's stories

'Unending Massacre' and 'African Cancer'

Some of the children at the SOS Children's Village in Kakiri, Uganda, learnt the complex skills to make a film, from a professional camerman. Watch the films they have created.

Foods

Africa has some of the most distinctive cuisines and flavours in the world. Food varies widely, but there are commonalities across regions. Depending on what's grown locally, dishes are also influenced by the traders, immigrants and rulers who settled across the continent. Arab, Asian and European elements blend in with traditional African cooking.

Opinions

Expressing opinions

Find out what some of the children at the SOS Children’s Village in Uganda think about topics such as the London riots, religion, sex and AIDS.

Tourism & Communications

Mountain gorillas attract foreign visitors

Uganda attracts over 800,000 visitors each year, many of whom come to see the amazing wildlife, particularly the rare eastern mountain gorillas in the forests of the southwest.

Games & Sport

Africa is home to arguably the oldest-recorded games and sports. While some are only known through archaeology, modern-day games and sports such as Mancala/Mankala and Nubian wrestling are very much alive today.

Of course, new sports have come along to claim the attention of Africans. You may have heard of one - it's called football.

History & Politics

The shadow of the dictator

Uganda has a multi-party democracy and the country is prospering after more than two decades of peace and stability. However, areas of the north remain insecure.